Chapter 217: The Young Family Engagement Banquet
Before Amelia could answer, Samuel had already swept her up in his arms.
His arms were thick and strong from years of working out and practicing Combat Arts. She had seen his fighting skills that day at the Combat Arts Association.
Lifting her was effortless for Samuel.
Before Amelia could react, she was already placed on the bed.
For a moment, Amelia's breathing quickened, her heart pounding.
But the next second, Samuel gently flipped her onto her stomach.
"Is it stiff here?" His large palm pressed against her lower back radiating warmth as he began to massage it with steady, gentle pressure..
Amelia's body relaxed instinctively.
Her back really was sore today, though she wasn't sure why.
Maybe it was from sitting in the car for over two hours.
Or maybe Samuel had held her too long earlier, leaving her whole body tense and stiff.
She soon realized that Samuel was genuinely just massaging her back.
What had she been so nervous?
Amelia felt a bit embarrassed.
But Samuel's massage technique was really good, and before she knew it.
When she woke up, half an hour had passed.
Samuel was standing outside on the balcony taking a phone call.
The balcony glass door was closed, but she could still hear what Samuel was saying.
"I know, I have my own plans. I hope you won't interfere too much."
His expression didn't look good.
Amelia had a vague idea who he was speaking with.
Soon Samuel hung up and came back inside.
When he saw Amelia sitting up in bed, watching him with open eyes, his expression immediately softened into a smile.
"You're awake?"
Amelia nodded. Since she had already overheard part of the conversation, she said directly, "I heard you talking to someone just now. Was it Stanley?"
Samuel nodded.
"Yes, it was him."
"Did he tell you to stay away from me again?"
"Yes." Samuel had promised not to hide anything from her, so he continued honestly. "Lloyd works for me, but he also works for my dad."
Samuel continued, "Last week when you had that incident at Scorching Flame Peak, I went to the police station to see you. Lloyd saw me there, reported it to my dad."
Amelia frowned.
Samuel reached out and ruffled her hair, saying casually, "Don't worry, he can't break us up."
Amelia brushed his hand away and said seriously, "They say marriages without the blessing of elders won't be happy. I want to get Stanley's approval."
"You don't need it. Strictly speaking, he's not even really my father. When I needed a father most, he was never there for me."
"But his blood runs in your veins. He is your father."
"I don't want you to compromise yourself."
Amelia shook her head. "You want my parents' and brothers' approval, and I feel the same way. Samuel, let me try."
Samuel looked at her deeply, then suddenly leaned forward and kissed her hard.
Their lips tangled together, both their breathing becoming rapid.
The temperature in the room seemed to suddenly rise.
Finally, Samuel forced himself to pull away.
"Thank you, Amelia. Thank you for doing this for me."
Amelia laughed. "I haven't done anything yet."
"Just having that intention is enough."
"Intention isn't enough, there needs to be action too. But first, you need to help me figure out why he suddenly doesn't want us together."
At the beginning, Stanley had clearly accepted their engagement.
In just two months, Stanley suddenly changed his mind.
This wasn't normal.
"I'm already looking into it. I'll tell you as soon as I find out."
"Okay."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Amelia gestured to Samuel to be quiet before calling out, "Who is it?"
"It's me! Amelia!"
It was Adrian's voice.
"Coming."
Amelia answered, glancing at Samuel again.
Samuel said helplessly in a low voice, "Anna is one of us, it's fine."
So Amelia got up to open the door.
Anna and Adrian were standing outside.
"Amelia!" Adrian threw himself into her arms.
Amelia ruffled Adrian's hair.
"Adrian's here? Were you tired from the trip?"
As she spoke with Adrian, Anna greeted Samuel as well.
There was no obvious surprise in her eyes.
But she quickly took Adrian away.
"We'll head downstairs first. You two come down in a bit too. Most of the guests have arrived," Anna said before swiftly dragging Adrian away.
Adrian was young and didn't understand why Anna was dragging him away. He whined reluctantly.
But Anna forcibly pulled him along anyway.
Amelia felt a bit embarrassed and glared at Samuel reproachfully.
If he had just hidden earlier instead of appearing openly, things wouldn't have been awkward for her and Anna.
Samuel looked completely at ease though.
"We're together openly and honestly. Why should we hide?"
Still, when they went downstairs, they went separately.
Most people outside didn't know they were together yet. Keeping it quiet within a small circle was currently beneficial for Amelia.
When Amelia went downstairs, she saw that the lobby and the infinity pool outside were indeed full of guests.
One person among them surprised her..
It was Francis.
He was chatting with a young man, but quickly noticed Amelia.
Amelia acted as if she didn't know him, walking past him without changing expression.
Francis's gaze only lingered on her for a moment before looking away, as if he didn't know her either.
But after Amelia turned her back to him, she clearly felt a cold stare fixed on her.
Amelia walked straight toward the outdoor infinity pool.
By the pool, she ran into another familiar face—Janet, Marlon's daughter.
The last time they'd met was the day Niamh fell from her horse and died.
Later Philip had told her that while she was chasing the horse that had thrown Niamh, Janet had tried to frame her.
She thought Janet would ignore her, but unexpectedly Janet came right up to her, smiling as she greeted her.
"Ms. Richardson, I didn't expect you'd come to this party. I thought you wouldn't dare."
Amelia laughed.
"The Young family dared to invite me, so why wouldn't I dare come? Unless Ms. Rojas thinks my family is the despicable and shameless one?"
Janet choked, the smile on her face barely holding.
"Ms. Richardson really has a sharp tongue."
"If Ms. Rojas isn't good with words, you don't have to talk. No one thinks you're mute."
"You!" Janet's expression turned completely dark.
But Amelia had already lost interest in talking to her and walked away.
In a corner by the pool stood an unremarkable woman.
She held a glass of juice, standing there quietly drinking by herself, until Amelia walked up to her.
"Ms. Richardson." A smile finally appeared on the woman's quiet face. "I guessed you would come."
The woman was none other than Yosef's sister-in-law, Stella.
Stella hadn't communicated with her beforehand. Amelia had spotted Stella by chance through the floor-to-ceiling windows when she was in the lobby.
She'd been quite surprised at the time.
"How did you guess I'd come?" Amelia asked.
"After I went back, I looked into the Richardson family's affairs, and learned about the relationship between the Young family and the Richardson family. Based on your personality, I knew you'd definitely come. So when the Young family sent an invitation to Thornfield, I accepted it."
Amelia nodded.
Stella was also a smart person, and Amelia liked dealing with smart people.
The only problem was that Stella often seemed confused about her own circumstances.
Amelia lowered her voice. "Have you gathered the information I asked you to collect?"
A defeated look appeared on Stella's face.
"No, he might have noticed something. Before, I could easily run into them, but now I haven't seen that man in a long time."
Amelia said, "It's also possible he didn't notice anything wrong with you, but that his condition has gotten so bad that he suspects everyone equally, so he's reduced contact with that man."
"Then what should I do? Without evidence, I can't destroy him." Stella was desperate to destroy her husband.
Amelia was silent for a moment, then said, "What's your relationship with Yosef like?"
"Average."
"He and I are friends now. You could ask him for help. It's his family home after all, he must have planted people there who can help you."
Stella looked shocked.
"He planted people? He trusts his brother completely. The two of them have a great relationship. And Yosef is just a playboy—how would he know to plant people in his own home?"
Hearing this, Amelia was certain that Yosef's playboy image was very convincing.
"Trust me. Since you're in Goldenvale, after the engagement party ends. Tell him I sent you. He'll help you."
Stella seemed to realize something, her eyes widening.
"Don't rush," Amelia said. "Like I told you before, haste makes waste."
Stella nodded seriously.
"I'll talk to him properly."
Amelia nodded.
Just then, a group of young people suddenly walked toward them.
They were standing in a narrow passageway.
The group acted as if they didn't see them, forcibly pushing past.
Amelia felt someone lightly tug at the hem of her clothes.
She didn't react and continued chatting casually with Stella.
After the group walked away, Amelia found an excuse to use the restroom.
When she came out, her expression had become more thoughtful.
But just then, she ran into Tessa.
Amelia had met Felicity before, but hadn't met Tessa in person.
However, she'd seen photos of Tessa.
Today she wore a white dress, like a pure white rose.
Clearly, she recognized Amelia too, and walked toward her.
"Ms. Richardson." Tessa wore a proper smile.
Amelia nodded lightly. "Hello, Tessa. You look beautiful today."
Tessa thanked her, then asked about Liam.
"Will Liam be coming?"
"Yes," Amelia said. "It's just that Liam gets carsick, so the car is going slowly. He'll arrive a bit later."
At these words, Tessa visibly relaxed.